TORONTO – In advance of a CRTC ruling that is expected this spring, CHUM Limited has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Canada’s premier jazz station, JAZZ.FM91, to supply hosts, content, programming expertise and promotion for its proposed subscription radio service, CHUM Subscription Radio Canada (CSRC).
As part of the agreement, JAZZ.FM91 will contribute three to six channels in jazz formats such as contemporary jazz, blues, big band and/or jazz masters to CSRC. JAZZ.FM91 will also contribute airtime for the promotion of CSRC and involve key JAZZ.FM91 personnel and hosts, including President and CEO, Ross Porter, who will oversee JAZZ.FM91’s contribution while actively participating as an on-air personality and host.
CHUM (in partnership with Astral Media), along with Canadian Satellite Radio (a partnership of Canadian entrepreneur John Bitove and U.S. satellite radio service XM) and SIRIUS Canada (a three-way with Standard Radio, CBC and SIRIUS) are all awaiting the Commission’s decision on the licensing of digital subscription radio in Canada.
A decision is hoped for this spring. If licensed, CHUM says it expects to launch the service in 2006.
CHUM’s subscription service application is far different than the two satellite offerings. If approved, it would create a Canadian-owned, controlled and operated terrestrial-based subscription radio service that will deliver 50 to 100 channels of unique content, including 15 to 20 francophone stations, all with CRTC-prescribed levels of Canadian content for a monthly fee of $9.95.
The company has also entered into technological MOUs with suppliers as well. In October 2004, CHUM signed with UK-based RadioScape Limited, a DAB broadcast service and receiver technology provider, to develop a digital radio receiver for CSRC, in addition to supplying the required broadcasting and receiving technology and equipment. Then, in March of this year, CHUM announced it had entered into another MOU with Unique Broadband Systems Inc., a supplier of ultra-wideband transmitter equipment, to be the principal supplier of the transmitter infrastructure required to implement CSRC.
JAZZ.FM91 is Canada’s only not-for-profit radio station dedicated to jazz and all its communities of interest, and is by far the most popular and innovative jazz station in Canada. In addition to broadcasting a variety and depth of jazz and jazz-related programming, the station has become a touchstone for showcasing Canadian talent.
“JAZZ.FM91 is Canada’s leading jazz station," said Paul Ski, executive vice-president radio, CHUM Limited. "We couldn’t be more pleased to be working with Ross Porter, one of Canada’s preeminent jazz broadcasting icons to bring the very best programming from the world of jazz to CSRC subscribers. These channels represent precisely the caliber of content subscribers may expect to find among CSRC’s rich program line-up."
"It could be described as the potential perfect union in which the best each partner brings to the relationship only strengthens its collective ability to achieve mutual goals and objectives,” added Porter.
